Apparel garment



sept. 5, 1939.

B. LEWIS APPAREL GARMENT 2 sheets-'sheet 1 Filed Jan. 17,

sept. 5, 1939. B. I Ewl' 2,172,210

APPAREL GARMENT I Filed Jan. 1'7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EY Patented Sept. 5, 1939 FATENT OFFlCE APPAREL GARMENT Benn Lewis, Maplewood, N. J., assigner to Lewel Mfg.' Co., Inc., New York, N. Y.. a corporation of New York Application January 17,

6 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates generally to apparel for feminine wear. More particularly, my invention relates to an improved construction for girdles, corsets and the like. One of the objects of my invention is to provide a girdle or corsetconstruction of the character described having novel and improved means associated with the front of said girdle for re siliently confining or compressing the abdomen.

Another object of my invention is to provide a girdle or corset construction of the character described, having improved means associated with a double-walled back thereof whereby to prevent relative slipping of the said back portions l5 of the corset when the same is worn.

'Still another object ofmy invention is to provide an improved girdle or corset construction of the character described which shall comprise relatively few and simple parts, which shall be easy to assemble, which shall be relatively incxn pensive to manufacture, which shall be rugged in construction and yet neat in appearance, and which, at the same time, shall possess a high degree of efficiency for the purposes intended.

Other objects o-f this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the fea tures of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which willvbe exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view vof a girdle embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View thereof with the girdle turned inside out disclosing the inner construction of the front thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the girdle shown in Fig. l but illustrating the rear elevational View thereof as worn on the figure.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of the girdle illustrated in Fig. 3 but turned inside out to disclose the inner construction of the back of said girdle.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing my invention as applied to the construction of a corset or foundation garment.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating my invention as applied to the corset or uv foundation garment of Fig. 6; and

1938, Serial N0. 185,359

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the corset or foundation garment shown in Figs. 6 and '7.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1-5 thereof, I have disclosed a girdle adapted to be used for feminine wear as 5 a compression or confining garment and constructed in accordance with my invention. The girdle comprises a front portion lil, a back portion I I, and two interconnecting side portions I2 and I3. The side portions I2 and I3 may be l0 made of elastic material, stretchable in a hori- Zontal direction. The girdle may be provided with a slit, extending downwardly from the top edge thereof, suitably disposed and provided with a series of hookless fastener elements Ia, and a-n operating slider lbK as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The front portion IEI is preferably constructed of a panel I4 which is of triangular shape and having the base thereof continuous with the top so edge I5 of the girdle. On opposite sides of the panel I4 are a pair of panels I6 which are symmetrical in shape and each of which has one edge I'l thereof coinciding with a portion of one of the legs of the triangular panel I and another 25 edge I8 thereof of arcuate shape. The top edges of the panels IS are continuous with the top edge I5 of the girdle whileedges I 9 thereof are fastened along the junction of the side portions I2 and I3 and the front portion Iii. The remainder of the front portion lil comprises a pair of sym metrical panels 20 disposed on opposite sides of a panel 2|. 'Ihe panel 2I may have a triangular portion thereof out out and fitted with an elastic gusset 22 as shown. The panel I 4, and the panels I6, are preferably made of elastic material while the panel 2l and the panels 2D are of inelastic material.

It is thus seen from the above described construction, that the material adjacent the top of o the front portion I0 will be resilient and stretchable in a horizontal direction and relatively rigid in a vertical direction, while the remainder of the front portion I0 will be non-stretchable or inelastic with the exception of the bottom gusset 22. The central panel I4 and the side panels I6 may be interconnected by the seams 23 and 24, while the panels 20 may be interconnected with the panel 2| by means of the seams 25 and 25. The seams 2l serve to interconnect the elastic panels I6 to the inelastic panels 2D while the seams 28 serve to interconnect the elastic panels I6 with the inelastic panel 2|.

In Fig. 2 there is shown in enlarged form the girdle illustrated in Fig. 1 and which has been 4I constructed in the customary manner.

turned inside out to disclose the inner construction thereof, which comprises panel member 30 of inelastic, non-stretchable material overlying the inside surface of the front portion IIl. The member 35 may have a portion 3l of each of the side edges thereof permanently attached at the junction of the side portions I2 and I3 and the front portion Ill. The remaining portions 3Ia of the side edges of the member 3B are curved as shown, to provide a reduced and slightly tapered lower portion of the member 35. The bottom edge 32 of the member 3Q is permanently attached to the band 33 disposed adjacent the bottom edge of the girdle. A relatively small portion 36 of the top edge 35 of the member 35 may be permanently attached to the band 35 disposed adjacent the top edge of the girdle. A portion 3l adjacent the lower edge of the member 3D may be cut out, said portion 3l being of the same size and in registered relationship with the out out portion at the bottom of the front I of the girdle so that the gusset 22 may be permanently attached to the member 3U by the lines of stitches 38 and 39, as well as to the front portion panel ZI It is thus seen from the above described construction that the member 3B is confined or permanently attached to the front portion IIJ of the girdle by the seams 3l, 32, 36, 38 and 39, leaving the edges 35 and 3 la free and unconned.

The member 33 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing stays 40 substantially vertically disposed and extending downwardly from the top edge of the girdle, a pre-determined distance. The stays Il!) may be confined within the pockets The bands 33 and 35 may be made of elastic material.

It is now seen that in donning the girdle, the outer wall of the front portion I thereof will be permitted to stretch in a horizontal direction in` order to accommodate itself to the figure of the wearer to a certain extent. The amount of horizontal stretching, due to the construction of the panel I4 and the panels IG, will be limited on account of the inner inelastic wall member 3G which is permanently attached to the front portion at the seams 3|. When the limit of the horizontal. stretching of the front portion has been reached, the tendency will be for the member 35, and the reinforcing stays 4I! mounted therein to press inwardly to compress the abdomen.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown the construction of the back portion I I of the girdle. In Fig. 3 it is seen that the back portion II comprises a single panel, with the exception of the small triangular portions 45, of elastic material which is stretchable in a vertical direction and substantially inelastic in a horizontal direction.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the girdle illustrated in Fig. 3 but turned inside out to disclose the inner construction of the back portion II thereof. Overlying the back portion II is an inner back wall member 50 of inelastic nonstretchable material, substantially of the same size and shape as the back portion II and which has the opposed vertical edges 5I and 52 thereof, permanently attached to the back portion II adjacent the junction of the side portions I2 and I3 with the said back portion II. Portions of the corners of the member 5B, adjacent the top edge 53 thereof, are cut away and permanently attached to the back portion I I by means of rows of stitching 54, while the top edge 53 is permanently attached to the upper band 35. It is noted that the bottom edge 55 of the member 5i) is slightly shorter than the back portion4 I I and is entirely free and unconned. The member 50 may be provided with stays 56 which are vertically disposed and which extend substantially the entire vertical height of the member 50. The stays are held in suitable pockets 5l.

To present relative sliding or slipping displacement of the inner wall member 50 and the back portion II when the girdle is worn, which is unsghtly and causes discomfort to the wearer, I have provided the following novel garter construction which prevents this relative movement between the member 5I) and the portion II. One of the ends 60a of each of the elastic loops 65 is permanently attached to the bottom free edge 55 of the member 55, while the other end 50h of the loop 60 is permanently attached to the bottom edge of the back portion I I of the girdle. Carn ried by the loops 60 are garter fastener devices 6I of usual construction, designed to grasp the upper edge of the stocking in the customary manner.

It is thus seen from the above described construction that When for any reason a downward pulling strain is exerted against the elastic loops 5G, the said strain will be substantially equally divided between the member 50 and back portion II of the girdle so that there will be no relative movement between the said parts 55 and II when the wearer of the girdle bends or moves in any manner which heretofore tended to cause the inner wall member 50 to move upwardly and cause wrinkling and annoyance to the wearer.

In Figs. 6 and '7, I have shown my invention as applied to a corset or foundation garment. It is noted that as in the case of the girdle construction above described, tlie front portion IIJ of the foundationv garment (see Fig. 8) is provided with a centrally disposed elastic panel I4 and a pair of elastic panels I5 disposed on either side of the panel I4 and attached thereto substantially in the same manner as described in connection with the girdle construction. Attached to the upper edges of the panels I4 and I Ii' are a pair of brassire members lil of any suit able material such as lace, and constructed in the usual manner. The brassire sections 'IEl are provided With shoulder straps "II, one end of which is fastened to the upper portion of the brassire, as shown, while the other end thereof is attached to the top edge 35 of the back portion II of the foundation garment. The remainder of the front portion of the foundation garment is constructed of inelastic panels similar to the panel 2| and the panels 20 and a bottom triangular elastic gusset 22 is provided, similar to the gusset 22. In Fig. 6 the foundation garment is shown as turned inside out, and it is noted that the inner construction thereof is similar to the inner front portion construction of the girdle, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. An inelastic member 35 is designed similar to that of the member 30. The member 30 is permanently attached to the front portion I Il' of the foundation garment in the same manner as the member 30 is attached to the front portion I0 of the girdle with the exception of the stitching at 34, as shown in Fig. 2, connecting the upper edge of the member 30 to the front portion I0. In the Fig. 6 form of garment, the upper edge 35 of the member 30 is entirely free and unconned. A plurality of vertically disposed stays 40 are provided, similar to the stays 40.

The back portion I I of the foundation garment is constructed in a similar manner to that of the back portion II of the girdle. In Fig. 7, the

lll

foundation garment is shown turned inside out similar to the girdle shown in Fig. 4. It is seen that a member G is provided which is similar in construction and function to the member 5S of the girdle as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

It is understood from the above described construction that my invention may be satisfactorily applied to any other similar types of corsets or constricting garments adapted for feminine wear.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is Well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a construction for corsets, girdles and the like, a front portion, a back portion and side portions interconnecting said front and back portions, said front portion comp-rising a central elastic panel in the upper half thereof a pair of elastic panels symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said central panel and connected directly thereto, and a member entirely inelastic overlying the inner wall of said back portion, said inelastic member having the top and side edgesA thereof fixed to said back portion, leaving the bottom edge thereof free and unattached.

2. In a construction for corsets, girdles and the like, a front portion comprising a centrally disposed triangular shaped elastic panel and a pair of elastic panels symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said central panel and connected directly thereto, a back portion and side portions interconnecting said front and back portions, a member made entirely of inelastic material overlying the inner wall of said back portion, said inelastic member having the top and side edges thereof fixed to said back portion, leaving the bottom edge thereof free and unattached, garter loops, each cf said garter loops having one end thereof fixed to said inelastic member, and the other end thereof fixed to said back portion for the purposes set forth, and stays carried by said inelastic member.

3. In a construction for corsets, girdles and the like, a front portion, a back portion and side portions interconnecting said front and back portions, said front portion comprising a V-shaped elastic panel in the upper half thereof. a pair of elastic panels symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said central panel and connected directly thereto, inelastic panels connected directly to said elastic panels, an inelastic member overlying the inner wall of said front portion, the upper part of said inelastic member being substantially equal in Width to the width of the upper part of said front portion, said inelastic member having portions of the bottom and side edges thereof fixed to said front portion, leaving other portions of said side edges free and unattached. and stays carried by said inelastic member, and a second inelastic member overlying the inner Wall of said back portion, said second inelastic member having the top and side edges thereof xed to said back portion, leaving the bottom edge thereof free and unattached.

4. In a construction for corsets, girdles and the like, a front portion, a back portion and side portions interconnecting said front and back portions, said front portion comprising a centrally disposed elastic panel in the upper half thereof, a pair of elastic panels symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said central panel and connected directly thereto, inelastic panels connected directly to said elastic panels, a pair of elastic panels disposed on opposite sides of said central panel and connected thereto, an inelastic member overlying the inner Wall of said front portion, said inelastic member having the bottom edge thereof and portions of the side edges thereof permanently attached to said front portion, other portions of said side edges remaining unattached, a second inelastic member overlying the inner wall of said back portion, and having the top and side edges thereof Xed to said back portion, leaving the bottom edge thereof free and unattached, and garter loops, each of said loops having one end thereof fixed to said second inelastic member, and the other end thereof fixed to said back portion for the purposes set forth.

5. In a construction for corsets, girdles and the like, a front portion, a back portion and side portions interconnecting said front and back portions, said front portion comprising a centrally disposed V-shaped elastic panel in the upper half thereof, and a pair of elastic panels disposed on opposite sides of said central panel and connected thereto, said last named pair of panels having V-shaped portions at the lower ends thereof and a pair of brassire sections attached to the upper edge of said elastic panels.

6. In a construction for corsets, girdles and the like, a front portion, a back portion and side por'- tions interconnecting said front and back portions, said front portion comprising a centrally disposed triangular-shaped elastic panel in the upper half thereof, a pair of elastic panels disposed on opposite sides of said central panel and connected thereto, and inelastic panels connected to said elastic panels and to each other, and a triangular shaped elastic gusset adjacent the bottom edgek of said front portion, the apices of said gusset and said central panel being arranged in opposed relationship,

BENN LEWIS. 

